US Grants 30-Day Waiver Allowing India To Buy Russian Oil, Zelenskyy Says It Fuels War

The U.S. Treasury Department announced a 30-day waiver allowing India to buy Russian oil, a decision Kyiv sharply criticised.

“Zelenskyy says US 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions is ‘not the right decision’ Zelenskyy says US 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions is ‘not the right decision’ PARIS (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that the U”

Associated Press

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the waiver “not the right decision,” saying it “won’t help bring a stop to Russia’s more than 4-year-old invasion of Ukraine,” and warned the easing “could provide Russia with about $10 billion for the war.”

Associated Press

The waiver was described in reporting as intended to address disruptions from the Iran war, with the Treasury’s action announced on March 6 and framed by U.S. officials as a temporary measure to alleviate supply strains.

Zelenskyy argued the waiver would materially strengthen Russia’s ability to fund its war effort.

He told journalists the measure “could provide Russia with about $10 billion for the war,” and said he believes “lifting sanctions will, in any case, lead to a strengthening of Russia’s position,” because “it spends the money from energy sales on weapons.”

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Ukrainian leaders framed the move as counterproductive to peace, saying it “certainly does not help peace.”

U.S. officials and analysts framed the waiver as a pragmatic response to energy market disruption tied to the Iran war and Persian Gulf production blockages.

“Numerous lawmakers, including some Republicans, are outraged about the Trump administration’s easing of sanctions on Russian oil exports, amid reports that Moscow is helping Iran target U”

CQ Politics

Reporting says the step “aims to free up Russian cargoes stranded at sea and ease supply shortages caused by the Iran war,” while analysts warn that spiralling oil prices and Gulf blockages have been “benefiting the Russian economy.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s move was presented as an effort to relieve a supply crisis that has driven up energy prices.

The waiver prompted political backlash inside the United States and renewed questions about the Trump administration’s broader sanctions approach.

CQ Politics reports “Numerous lawmakers, including some Republicans, are outraged about the Trump administration’s easing of sanctions,” and critics argued that President Donald Trump has at times “favored Russia and pressured only Ukraine in ongoing peace talks.”

L'Obs

Mississippi Republican Sen. Roger Wicker said he “strongly disagrees with the decision to waive the sanctions” and warned that “Russia is one of our significant threats.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, while hosting Zelenskyy, stressed that broader sanctions on Russia “still stand despite the temporary U.S. waiver.”

Beyond the immediate waiver, CQ Politics and reporting note the administration signalled potential for broader easing, a step critics warn could have larger fiscal effects for Russia and geopolitical consequences.

“The United States announced on Thursday, March 12 the temporary authorization for the sale of Russian oil stored on ships due to the rise in oil prices caused by the war in Iran”

L'Obs

Officials said “We may unsanction other Russian oil” and President Donald Trump told GOP lawmakers “We’re also waiving certain oil-related sanctions to reduce prices... Who knows, maybe we won’t have to put them on, there will be so much peace.”

Associated Press

Zelenskyy also cautioned that U.S.-mediated talks with Moscow “are on hold due to the Iran war, though they could resume next week,” suggesting the waiver and wider diplomatic dynamics are intertwined with stalled negotiations.